Does rocky mountain spotted fever cause a coma?

Yes: Rocky mountain spotted fever is a bacterial infection that causes damage throughout the body, including the central nervous system (brain and nerves). If untreated, it can lead to symptoms of nerve damage, brain damage, and sometimes coma and death.

In very severe cases: Rocky mountain spotted fever affects about 2000 people in the U.S. Every year. The common symptoms include: rash, fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle pain, red eyes, and lack of appetite. In severe cases there is damage of small blood vessels, which could lead to gangrene, kidney failure, heart failure, lethargy, confusion, seizures, coma, and death.